Foundation and Key Stage 1

Learning in the Foundation Class

The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of six areas of Learning and Development. These six areas together make up the skills, knowledge and experience appropriate for children as they grow, learn and develop. All areas of learning and development are connected to one another and are equally important.

The areas for Learning and Development are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL)

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy (PSRN)

Knowledge and Understanding of the World (KUW)

Physical development (PD)

Creative Development (CD)

A rich and varied environment supports childrens' learning and development, giving them the confidence to explore and learn in secure, safe yet challenging indoor and outdoor spaces. Play comes naturally and spontaneously to most children though some need adult support. Childrens' learning is a continuous journey through which they build on the skills they have already experienced and come across new exciting activities. Every child's learning takes a personal path based on their own interests and experiences. The support they receive is personalised to meet their individual needs and to extend their talents.

Therefore the school day is a combination of;

Whole class sessions

Small group sessions

Individual personalised sessions

Independent learning (this active learning occurs when children are keen to learn and find out for themselves)

The sessions are planned to allow for whole class teaching, small group work, individual teaching and free choice activities (Play plan)

Class Topics

A different topic is studied each term. Through this topic the children will cover Communication, Language and Literacy, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development. The theme runs through all the lessons; for example, in a topic about water, the children may run, jump or walk through puddles to see what happens. In this way they begin to understand about the effect of force on water (K and U), how to stay steady on their feet on a slippery surface (PD), they may learn a rhyme about water (CLL) hear a story about a flood (RE or CLL), learn about floating and sinking (K and U), measure water (PSRN), learn water songs (CD) and paint watery pictures (CD) In this way they will have covered most of the areas for learning and development.

Deployment of Staff

There are three adults with the class at all times. These staff are deployed in various ways. A whole class session will be led by one adult, with the other two supporting children to sit and look, listen and participate. One adult, allowing up to three small groups to be working at once, will lead small group work. At other times an adult will be working individually with a child. During a day the children will work:

As part of the whole class

As part of a small group

Individually (on targets specific to them)

For example, during Play Plan, two adults will be supervising  and supporting Play Plan activities and the third adult will withdraw children to work with them individually, for approximately 10 minute sessions.

Example of a Typical Day in Foundation and KS1

Learning in KS1

All pupils at Fosse Way School who are in Key Stage 1 or Reception age are placed within the ‘Foundation’ class. The curriculum within this class is based on the Foundation Stage Curriculum.  This essentially means that all learning is delivered through the same six learning and development areas:

• Personal Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
• Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL)
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy (PSRN)
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World (KUW)
• Creative Development (CD)
• Physical Development (PD)

The curriculum is structured into a rolling programme of topics, through which the above themes are delivered.

Throughout the curriculum all pupils are considered as individuals and where appropriate individual learning activities are planned that reflect a pupil’s abilities and specialist needs.

The curriculum is supported by a wide range of enrichment activities including off-site visits and visits by organisations such as drama groups.

Within this group there are a range of inclusion opportunities linked to mainstream schools and opportunities exist for ‘dual placements’

Additional useful documents

Progress and Assessment.

A combination of methods are used to ensure progress and assessment are achieved in Foundation and Key Stage 1.

• Learning Diaries which include a combination of photographic evidence,  observations and examples of work which are continued into KS1
• Home/ School Link Book targets
• Foundation Stage Profile
• B Squared